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Tag: Black Stars

  • 2024 elections: Stephen Appiah to contest as independent candidate

    2024 elections: Stephen Appiah to contest as independent candidate

    The former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah, is set to contest as an independent candidate for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.

    The former Juventus midfield player will run in the general elections of 2024, according to Fiifi Tackie, a representative for the Ayew family, who made the announcement on X.

    One of the most hotly contested parliamentary seats in the upcoming elections will be in Ayawaso West Wuogon, where well-known actor John Dumelo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is running to unseat the incumbent, Lydia Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Check the post below

  • Otto Addo returns as Black Stars coach

    Otto Addo returns as Black Stars coach

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed Otto Addo’s return to lead the Black Stars.

    The former Ghanaian international replaces Chris Hughton, who was fired after the team’s unsuccessful Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Ivory Coast earlier this year.

    Otto Addo’s appointment follows the search committee’s five-member recommendation for Black Stars Head Coach.

    GFA affirmed that they have extended an offer to Addo for a 34-month contract with a two-year option to extend.

    Otto Addo can take up the role permanently in May of this year if Borussia Dortmund agrees to release him during the March international window.

    Borussia Dortmund, a team in the Bundesliga, announced that Otto Addo will be leaving his position as a talent coach in the summer.

    He will return to Germany following the forthcoming international break, which they have also confirmed his release for.

  • FIFA to establish a new football academy in Ghana – Arsene Wenger

    FIFA to establish a new football academy in Ghana – Arsene Wenger

    Arsene Wenger, Chief of Global Football Development at FIFA, has disclosed that the organisation responsible for overseeing football intends to establish an academy in Ghana.

    He claims that with the opening of academies, FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme will assist five African nations, including Ghana.

    FIFA plans to establish 75 academies worldwide by 2026; the other nations are Cameroon, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Zambia.

    “Over the next six months and one year, it’s to open more academies,” Wenger told Supersport in an interview.

    “We are now close to opening a new one in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Ghana and Zambia and we want to develop five new academies there and, at the end of 2026, we’ll have 75 academies all over the world.

    “That means football education has moved forward and that’s what we’re focusing on at the moment. We want the game to be more competitive and of better quality and there is only one way to do it: it’s the quality of the education and quality of the competitions.”

    The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) are under intense pressure to make investments in the nation’s sporting facilities.

    Arsene Wenger
    The “Save Ghana Football” demonstration was a protest that took place last Wednesday with the goal of holding football authorities accountable.

    The conveners sent a petition to Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, outlining some of the most important reforms that must be implemented, such as creating a national football policy and forming a commission to look into the underwhelming performance of the different national teams.

    The dissolution of national team management committees and accountability for the distribution of funds from competitions such as the World Cup were also high on the agenda.

  • FIFA Rankings: Black Stars drop to 67th, now ranked 14th in Africa

    FIFA Rankings: Black Stars drop to 67th, now ranked 14th in Africa

    Ghana has fallen six spots in the most recent FIFA World Ranking following a pretty underwhelming performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The Black Stars are still outside the top 10 in Africa according to the world football governing body’s release from Thursday, February 15, 2024.

    Ghana is now ranked 67th in the world, and the Black Stars are now 14th on the continent, behind countries like Mali and South Africa.

    The team’s poor performance at the AFCON, where they were unable to advance out of a group that included Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique, is the reason behind the drop.

    After the Black Stars lost to Cape Verde and drew with Egypt and Mozambique in their group stage matches, head coach Chris Hughton was fired.

    Even though they were eliminated from the AFCON in the round of 16, Morocco is still ranked highest in Africa.

    Senegal is ranked second, followed in order by Nigeria, Egypt, and the recently crowned AFCON champions, Ivory Coast.

    In the continental rankings, South Africa completes the top ten, followed by Algeria in seventh place, Mali in eighth place, and Tunisia in sixth place.

    Argentina, the world champions, are first in the global ranking. The top five also includes France, England, Belgium, and Brazil.

    The following lists the top 10 African teams according to FIFA’s most recent global rankings:

    1. Morocco 
    2. Senegal 
    3. Nigeria 
    4. Egypt
    5. Ivory Coast 
    6. Tunisia 
    7. Algeria 
    8. Mali 
    9. Cameroon 
    10. South Africa
  • Asamoah Gyan was forced to drop Black Stars captaincy to Dede Ayew – Laryea Kingston

    Asamoah Gyan was forced to drop Black Stars captaincy to Dede Ayew – Laryea Kingston

    Laryea Kingston, a former Ghana international player, asserted that Asamoah Gyan is still upset about how Andre Ayew won the Black Stars captaincy over him.

    He claimed that Ayew “got the captaincy by force,” which is why Gyan was upset about the way things turned out.

    After almost five years as captain of Ghana, Gyan had his armband removed a few weeks prior to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The veteran striker was named general captain by national team coach James Kwesi Appiah, who also selected Ayew as his new captain.

    Gyan announced his retirement from the national team after being unimpressed with the decision, but he later changed his mind following President Akufo-Addo’s intervention.

    Gyan’s loss of the Black Stars captaincy serves as one example of how Laryea feels the national team’s management treats legends poorly.

    “Look at someone like Asamoah Gyan, Dede Ayew got the captaincy by force so if you are speaking to Asamoah now he is not happy,” he told Graphic Sport.

    “I never supported the Black Stars because of what they did to me for so many years, but recently I sat down and said, ‘Let me focus.’”

    However, Kwesi Appiah, the former coach of Ghana, thinks that removing Gyan from the Black Stars captaincy was the right move.

    Speaking on Prime Take on Joy News in 2023, Kwesi Appiah said he has a lot of respect for Gyan and made sure he informed the striker of the decision in a respectful manner.

    “I respect him a lot. That’s the reason why I called him to let him know the decision I was going to take and make him the general captain,” he said.

  • I want to win AFCON and the World Cup for Ghana – Kurt Okraku

    I want to win AFCON and the World Cup for Ghana – Kurt Okraku

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, has revealed that his administration wants to bring home trophies for the nation.

    He expressed his hope that Ghana will be able to win both the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations before he steps down from office.

    Speaking to the media earlier yesterday in Kumasi, Mr. Okraku discussed the Black Stars’ dismal showing in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition.

    The senior national team, which had hoped to win their fifth continental championship, was eliminated in the group stage again after placing third with two points.

    Mr. Okraku declared that, in spite of the criticism, he is determined to see to it that the Black Stars, under his direction as the GFA president, win the Mundial and the AFCON.
    “I want to win the AFCON I want to win the World Cup I want to win every competition Ghana finds itself,” he said.

    “This is the collective belief and mindset of my fellow Executive Council members.

    “My goal is to establish the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence as a world-class institution and to position it extremely well,” he continued.

    Under Mr. Okraku’s leadership, the Black Stars have finished the last two AFCON tournaments in the group stage after losing all two of their games in Cameroon and Ivory Coast.

  • Chelsea, Newcastle United pay tribute to ex-Ghana star Christian Atsu (Photos+Videos)

    Chelsea, Newcastle United pay tribute to ex-Ghana star Christian Atsu (Photos+Videos)

    It has been a year since the terrible demise of Ghanaian football player Christian Atsu, who perished in the terrible earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6, 2023.

    Atsu was one of the thousands of people killed in the devastating earthquake, a tragedy that left many shocked and heartbroken.

    After Atsu was first reported missing, a comprehensive search was conducted. Regretfully, his corpse was eventually found under a heap of rubble.

    Following his passing, many football stars paid their respects, causing the football community to descend into mourning.

    His outstanding play on the pitch, which included significant goals for both his club and his country, earned him a reputation.

    However, it was off the playing field where his generosity and kind heart demonstrated his exceptional character.

    Atsu improved the community by leveraging his social status to his advantage through charitable endeavours.

    The teams that honoured him and paid tribute on social media were Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Ghana Black Stars.

    Together with honouring Atsu’s life and achievements, they included images of him playing.

    Atsu’s legacy serves as a constant reminder to all of us to treat people with kindness, compassion, and dedication.

  • German coach Jurgen Kohler applies for vacant Black Stars job

    German coach Jurgen Kohler applies for vacant Black Stars job

    Jurgen Kohler, a German coach, has applied to be considered for the coaching position of Black Stars.

    Jurgen Kohler, a German coach, applies for a position with the Black Stars.
    The 1990 FIFA World Cup winner reportedly applied for the position following discussions with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), according to Joy Sports.

    The GFA-established committee of five people is rumoured to have contacted Kohler in an attempt to find Ghana’s next head coach.

    The 58-year-old is rumoured to have applied after speaking with GFA vice president Mark Addo about the position.

    After their terrible AFCON 2023 campaign, Chris Hughton was fired, leaving the Black Stars without a coach at the moment.

    According to a GFA statement, the next Ghanaian coach needs to fulfil a number of requirements, such as having a winning track record and a philosophy of football that is in line with Ghanaian football culture.

    Jurgen Kohler, a German coach, applies for a position with the Black Stars.
    Along with having over 15 years of coaching experience, the highest football licence in the world, and a history of team rebuilding, organisation, and developing young talent are also requirements.

    Although Kohler has been coaching since the early 2000s, the majority of his managerial experience has been at the lower levels.

    In 2019, he took on the role of interim manager for German third-division team Viktoria Koln.

  • Be a leader who is concerned about his people, Saddick Adams to Akufo Addo

    Be a leader who is concerned about his people, Saddick Adams to Akufo Addo

    Saddick Adams, a celebrated sports journalist, is also referred to as Obama has requested that Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo give sports in the nation top priority and implement workable plans to boost athletics.

    The well-known sports journalist claims that, with proper management, sports represent one of the main tourist opportunities for the country to increase its revenue.

    Saddick Adams challenged Nana Addo to be a good leader who is concerned about Ghana’s development in a statement posted on his X account.

    “Act with dignity as a leader who is concerned about the nation’s reputation. He wrote, “One of the main tourist destinations is football.”

    Additionally, he urged the president to direct the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, to publicly apologise to the Ghanaian people for their appalling performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

    “Assign your minister of sports to direct the GFA to apologise to the fans and the entire country for the embarrassment,” he continued.

    The 2018 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) sports journalist of the year commented on the five-member committee that the GFA formed to find a new coach for the Black Stars, the Ghanaian national team, saying that the committee should be dissolved because it is pointless.

    He said Nana Addo ought to “be a leader! Do not reward ineptitude and promote mediocrity. The Ghanaian standard has never been that. The two most terrible AFCON campaigns in our history have followed under your rule. DISMISS that fraudulent committee before they have a chance to embark on their pointless journey.

    “With all due respect, disband the committee responsible for finding a new coach for the Black Stars.” Our taxes will be used to pay thousands of dollars to the next coach. According to Saddick Adams.

    Dear @NAkufoAddo

    With all due respect, dissolve the committee that is to search for a new Black Stars coach.

    The next coach will be paid thousands of dollars with our taxes.

    Respectfully ACT as a leader who cares about the image of the country.

    Football is one of the biggest tourism avenues. Instruct your minister of sports to instruct the GFA to issue an apology to the entire nation and fans for the embarrassment.

    Hold on with the search and get a caretaker manager for the team.

    Demand an emergency technical and management report and budget of the AFCON and get neutral experts to properly investigate and appreciate the ills of the campaign.

    Be a leader! Do not encourage mediocrity and be rewarding incompetence. That has never been the Ghanaian standard.

    Your reign has characterized two successive most disastrous AFCON campaigns in our entire history.

    DISSOLVE that sham of a committee before they even start the walk to no where.

  • Chris Hughton fired after Black Stars crash out of AFCON 2023

    Chris Hughton fired after Black Stars crash out of AFCON 2023

    Following the Black Stars’ disastrous exit from AFCON 2023, Chris Hughton was fired.

    The head coach of the Black Stars, Chris Hughton, has been relieved of his duties, according to an announcement made by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

    The choice was made after the Black Stars lost all three of their group matchups and were eliminated from AFCON 2023.

    Dissolution of the technical team was also mentioned in the GFA statement, which was released four hours after Ghana’s early elimination from the Ivory Coast tournament was confirmed.

    According to the FA, “a roadmap on the future of the Black Stars” will be provided in the upcoming days.

    After Otto Addo’s contract with the men’s senior national team expired following the 2022 World Cup, Hughton was appointed in February 2023.

    He was assigned to manage the start of the Stars’ 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign as well as the remaining Ghanaian qualifiers for AFCON 2023, as well as travelling with the team to the competition in Ivory Coast.

    Hughton was named the Black Stars’ Technical Advisor prior to taking over as head coach. He held this position for the Qatar tournament and before the team’s two-leg playoff match against Nigeria for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

    As Black Stars head coach, Hughton oversaw 13 games, going 4–5 in wins, 5–5 in draws, and 4–4 in losses.

    Hughton’s team recorded three victories, two defeats, and four draws in nine competitive games.

    In addition to the results, the Black Stars’ performances under the former manager of Brighton, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest have drawn criticism, leading to the team’s dismal performance at AFCON 2023.

    Fans and commentators have frequently questioned his decisions and handling of the games.

    Ghana was eliminated from the AFCON for the second consecutive year at the group stage after drawing with Egypt and Mozambique and losing to Cape Verde in the opening match.

    Hughton acknowledged that he was to blame for the Ivory Coast’s subpar performances.

    He told the media following Monday’s 2-2 draw with Mozambique, “I take responsibility for this performance and admit my results with the Black Stars have not been good enough.”

    With two international friendlies against world champions Argentina and China scheduled for March, the Black Stars will now need to regroup following their most recent setback.

    They will then return their focus to the World Cup qualifiers, where they will play matches against Central African Republic and Mali in June.